Lorraine Green, of Jenkintown, PA, had a can do spirit. Her motto was always “get it done,” regardless of the situation. She instilled this strong sense of self in her daughter, Cheryl, which helped her champion through health challenges in her life. Lorraine was a loving, selfless mother who always gave of herself – even donating one of her kidneys to Cheryl over 40 years ago.
Cheryl’s transplant journey began when she was 19 and a student at Penn State University. She thought she was getting sick and went to the campus infirmary. She wasn’t feeling any better and wanted to go home. Her parents came to pick her up, and shortly after they arrived she went into cardiac arrest. Cheryl was lucky to come back from this terrifying ordeal, and doctors helped her maintain her health for two years without significant issues.
Soon after, Cheryl’s kidneys failed and she needed to go on dialysis. She continued to go to school and work part-time, but dialysis required a serious time commitment. Many of her family members stepped up to see if they were a match to donate, but ultimately it was her mother who would go on to be the life-saving kidney donor that Cheryl needed. Gift of Life Donor Program Co-Founder, Dr. Clyde F. Barker, performed the successful transplant surgery.
“My mom was in the hospital a short time and went right back to work.” said Cheryl. “As soon as I woke up after my transplant, my head felt clear. Before that, I felt hazy all the time and could never quite get my thoughts together. There was a big difference.”
Lorraine died five years ago at the age of 86. “My mother and I were very close. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here. We were buddies and went through a lot together.” said Cheryl. “We always had fun. Up until she was 85, we’d get Penn State football season tickets and go to the games. We’d go to the shore and babysit my niece and nephew when they were young. It’s funny because the older I get, the more I see her looking back at me in the mirror.”
Cheryl has been able to accomplish a lot over the past 40 years, including competing in the World Transplant Games in Amsterdam, an Olympic style competition for transplant recipients and living donors. She also competed nationally in the Donate Life Transplant Games of America as part of Team Philadelphia, and brought home several medals.
Today, Cheryl loves her job as a Physician’s Assistant in Lancaster and Lebanon, PA, and is grateful to be able to help others every day. She said, “My mom helped me and now I’m helping others. Maybe my patients will go on to do something good for others, and my gift will continue to be paid forward.”